Refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator has a shelf that is securely supported by a supporting portion and can be conveniently withdrawn. For this end, the refrigerator includes a main body, a supporting portion, a shelf main body, a rail, and a latching member. An inner case defines an interior of the main body. The supporting portion is provided on the inner case. The shelf main body is supported by the supporting portion. The rail is provided at a side of the shelf main body, to guide movement of the shelf main body. The latching member is provided on the rail, latches to the supporting portion, and elastically deforms when the shelf main body is moved.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0055006 filed on Jun. 5, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator with a shelf made detachable from a supporting portion through an elastic member, to make withdrawing of the shelf more convenient and secure sufficient storage space in the refrigerator.

As an apparatus for low temperature storage of food, a refrigerator generally stores foods at freezing or refrigerating temperatures, depending on requirements, and generates cold air supplied into the refrigerator through heat exchange of refrigerant.

That is, by continuously performing repeating cycles of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation, cold air is continually supplied into the refrigerator, and the supplied cold air is dispersed evenly throughout the refrigerator interior by means of convection currents, to enable food to be stored inside the refrigerator at desired temperatures.

A refrigerator includes a main body defining a storage compartment. The main body is provided with a plurality of shelves for storing food, and a plurality of supporting members is provided inside the main body to support the shelves.

In refrigerators according to the related art, a stopper is provided on the supporting member to prevent disengagement of the shelf. The stopper may be recessed downward in a rounded shape. A protrusion may be provided on the shelf to catch on the stopper.

That is, with the shelf mounted on the supporting member, the protrusion catches on the stopper, so that the shelf can be maintained supported on the main body with food stored thereon.

However, with this related art method of supporting a shelf, the protrusion must be made in a rounded shape corresponding to the stopper, but in a smaller size, in order to facilitate detachment of the shelf. In this case, the amount of supporting force supporting the shelf on the main body is small, so that the shelf can be easily disengaged when even the slightest external force is applied to it.

Also, with the shelf seated on the supporting portion, the supporting member is exposed below the shelf, presenting an unrefined appearance.

Moreover, if the supporting portion is made larger to more securely support the shelf, the interior space of the refrigerator is reduced by the supporting portion.

SUMMARY

Embodiments provide a refrigerator with a shelf that is firmly supported by a supporting portion and which can easily be withdrawn.

Embodiments also provide a refrigerator with a minimally-exposed supporting portion supporting a shelf, to provide an aesthetic outward appearance.

Embodiments further provide a refrigerator with a minimally-sized supporting portion that securely supports a shelf, to increase usable interior storage space of the refrigerator.

In one embodiment, A refrigerator includes a main body comprising an inner case defining an interior; a supporting portion on the inner case; a shelf main body supported by the supporting portion; a rail at a side of the shelf main body, to guide movement of the shelf main body; and a latching member on the rail and latching to the supporting portion, the latching member elastically deforming when the shelf main body is moved.

In another embodiment, A refrigerator includes a main body defining a storage compartment; a shelf provided in the main body to be withdrawable; and a supporting portion supporting the shelf in the main body, and defining a latching recess latching with the shelf, wherein the shelf comprises: a shelf main body storing items for storage; a rail provided at least at a side of the shelf main body to guide withdrawing of the shelf; a latching member on the rail to latch to the latching recess; and a withdrawing lever extending at a side of the latching member, to be manipulated to withdraw the shelf.

In another embodiment, A refrigerator comprising: a main body defining a storage compartment; a shelf provided in the main body to be withdrawable; and a supporting portion protruding in a direction to support the shelf on the main body, wherein the shelf comprises: a shelf main body storing items for storage; and a rail on at least one side of the shelf main body, to guide withdrawing of the shelf and enclose protruding surfaces of the supporting portion.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an inner perspective view of a refrigerator showing a shelf in a mounted state according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a frontal sectional view of a refrigerator showing a shelf and supporting portion according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views showing latching structures of a shelf of a refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a frontal perspective view showing a latching structure of a shelf according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a frontal perspective view of a shelf latching structure according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In present embodiments, when like names and like reference numerals are used for like elements, repetitive descriptions thereof are not provided.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is an inner perspective view of a refrigerator showing a shelf in a mounted state according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 3 is a frontal sectional view of a refrigerator showing a shelf and supporting portion according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a refrigerator 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a main body 10 with an open front defining a storage compartment 14, and a freezer compartment door 11 and a refrigerator compartment door 12 pivotably coupled to the front of the main body 10.

The main body 10 includes an outer case (not shown) constituting the exterior of the main body 10, and an inner case 15 constituting the inner exterior of the main body 10. The storage compartment 14 is defined by the inner case 15.

The storage compartment 14 includes a freezer compartment that is selectively opened and closed by the freezer compartment door 11, and a refrigeration compartment that is selectively opened and closed by the refrigeration compartment door 12. The freezer compartment and the refrigeration compartment are partitioned by a partition 13.

The main body 10 is provided with a plurality of shelves 30 for storing foods. The inner case 15 provides a plurality of supporting portions 20 for supporting the shelves 30 within the main body 10.

In detail, the supporting portion 20 protrudes in opposition from either sidewall of the inner case 15 toward the inside of the main body 10. (Only one side of the inner case 15 is shown in the diagrams for the sake of convenience.)

The shelf 30 may be disposed to be enclosed by the protruding surfaces of the supporting portion 20. That is, when the shelf 30 is supported by the supporting portion 20, the supporting portion 20 may not be exposed to the outside.

Also, in order to facilitate forward withdrawal of the shelf 30, the supporting portion 20 may be sloped to the front of the inner case 15, or sloped downward toward the front of the refrigerator (S1 in FIG. 2).

The supporting portion 20 may be formed with slopes S2 and S3 (in FIG. 3) toward the inner center of the main body 10.

That is, the upper part of the supporting portion 20 may have the slope S2 downward toward the inner center of the main body 10, and the lower part of the supporting portion 20 may have the slope S3 upward toward the inner center of the main body 10.

The shelf 30 includes a shelf main body 32 with a storing surface for storing items on, and a rail 40 for supporting the shelf main body 32 on the inner case 15 or guiding movement of the shelf main body 32.

The shelf main body 32 is installed transversely across either sidewall of the inner case 15. The shelf main body 32 may be formed of a transparent material enabling the contents stored below it to be visually discerned.

The rail 40 is provided at either side of the shelf main body 32, and respectively extends downward from either side of the shelf main body 32. Here, the rail 40 may extend directly downward along the inner case 15.

The rail 40 is disposed to enclose the supporting portion 20, and may move along a side of the inner case 15. That is, the rail 40 may move forward and rearward in the refrigerator to enable the shelf main body 32 to be withdrawn and inserted.

Here, the rail 40 may be disposed to enclose all of the upper, lower, and inner side surfaces of the supporting portion 20 to enable secure storage of heavy items on the shelf main body 32.

For this end, the rail 40 may be sloped downward toward the front of the inner case 15 to correspond to the outer shape of the supporting portion 20—that is, downward toward the front of the main body 10, and may be formed to slope toward the inside of the main body 10.

The supporting portion 20 may be provided in plurality at one side surface of the inner case 15. Of course, the supporting portion 20 may be provided on either side surface of the inner case 15 to support either side of the shelf 30, and the supporting portions 20 may be disposed at corresponding heights at both side surfaces of the inner case 15.

Both sides of the shelf 30 may be supported by a pair of supporting portions 20, and a plurality of shelves 30 may be provided to correspond in number to the supporting portions 20.

The supporting portions 20 provided at a side surface of the inner case 15 may be disposed vertically apart from one another.

A receiving slot 16 for receiving at least a portion of the rail 40 is defined between the separated supporting portions 20. The rail 40, with either side thereof received in the receiving slots 16, can easily move.

The receiving slot 16 may be disposed vertically along the inner case 15. Accordingly, in the case where the supporting portion 20 is sloped forward of the main body 10, it can be sloped toward the front of the receiving slot 16 or the main body 10.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, a gap (g), between the rail 40 and the inner case 15 above the rail 40, progressively widens toward the front.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views showing latching structures of a shelf of a refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure has a latching structure that enables detachable coupling of the shelf 30 to the main body 10.

Specifically, the supporting portion 20 defines a latching recess 22 which latches the shelf 30 to the supporting portion 20 while supported by the supporting portion 20. The latching recess 22 is recessed by a predetermined depth into the inner case 15.

The supporting portion 20 has a sloped portion 24 sloped to protrude in a direction from the latching recess 22 toward the supporting portion 20.

The rail 40 is provided with a latching member 50 that protrudes toward the supporting portion 20 and latches with the supporting portion 20. The latching member 50 has a latch 52 formed to insert into and engage with the latching recess 22.

The latch 52 extends from the outside of the rail 40, and is sloped to insert into the latching recess 22.

The latching member 50 latches with the latching recess 22, with the shelf 30 supported by the supporting portion 20. That is, the latch 52 is supported at the latching recess 22. In this case, the shelf 30 can be prevented from easily disengaging from the front of the main body 10.

The latching member 50 moves along the sloped portion 24 when the shelf 30 is withdrawn. That is, the latch 52 moves along the sloped portion 24 in the withdrawn direction of the rail 40.

One end of the latching member 50 extends and is bent while protruding from the rail 40. The other end of the latching member 50 is formed as a free end with an innate elasticity. Accordingly, when external force is applied to the latching member 50, the latching member 50 is elastically deformed so that it can disengage from the latching recess 22.

The other end of the latching member 50, that is, an end of the latch 52 is provided with a withdrawing lever 54 that a user can grasp and apply force through manipulation. The withdrawing lever 54 may extend from the latch 52 forward and downward of the main body 10.

Therefore, an opening of the rail 40 is disposed at the position where the withdrawing lever 54 extends downward. That is, while the rail 40 is disposed to enclose the protruding surface of the supporting portion 20, at least one portion at the bottom of the rail 40 may be open to allow the withdrawing lever 54 to extend downward.

A user can pull the withdrawing lever 54 forward of the main body 10 (in direction A) to disengage the latching member 50 from the latching recess 22. In this case, the shelf 30 can be easily disengaged from the supporting portion 20. Here, the latching member 50 is elastically deformed and disengaged from the latching recess 22, as described above.

A guide protrusion 56 that guides movement of the withdrawing lever 54 is formed on an end of the withdrawing lever 54. The guide protrusion 56 may protrude from the withdrawing lever 54 toward the rail 40.

A guide recess 26 is formed in the rail 40 to enable the guide protrusion 56 to move forward and rearward when inserted. The guide recess 26 may be a slot cut longitudinally into and along the rail 40.

A predetermined space (S) is formed between the rail 40 and the supporting portion 20 so the latching member 50 can easily move. That is, the latching member 50 can move forward and rearward within the space (S).

The above-configured shelf according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure has the following functions.

First, the shelf 30 is disposed to enclose the upper surface, lower surface, and side surface of the supporting portion 20, and is supported on the inner case 15 by the latching member 50 and the latching structure of the supporting portion 20.

The rail 40 moves along the wall surface of the inner case 15 while coupled to the shelf main body 32. The shelf 30 is removed from the supporting portion 20 while the rail 40 moves forward of the main body 10, and during movement inward into the main body 10, the shelf 30 latches to the supporting portion 20.

Here, because the supporting portion 20 is formed with a slope (S1 in FIG. 2) downward toward the front of the main body 10, the shelf 30 can be easily withdrawn forward.

Because the rail 40 of the shelf 30 encloses all three surfaces of the supporting portion 20, the shelf 30 can be securely withdrawn even when heavy items are stored on the shelf main body 32.

Also, because the supporting portion 20 is formed with slopes (S2 and S3 in FIG. 3) sloping inward of the main body 10, the shelf 30 can easily be withdrawn forward.

In particular, the rail 40 is held in the receiving slot 16 recessed between the supporting portions 20, and a gap (g) is formed in the inner case 15 that progressively widens toward the front, so that the rail 40 and the shelf main body 32 can easily move forward.

The rail 40 is elastically fixed to the latching recess 22 by the latching member 50, so that the shelf 30 can be firmly fixed to the inner case 15 while capable of being conveniently withdrawn.

That is, when a user pulls the withdrawing lever 54, the latching member 50 disengages from the latching recess 22, and in the process, the rail 40 and the shelf main body 32 can be easily removed from the inner case 15.

The guide protrusion 56 protruding from the withdrawing lever 54 moves forward and rearward while inserted in the guide recess 26, allowing the shelf 30 to move securely without wobbling.

Below, descriptions will be provided of second and third embodiments of the present disclosure. When compared to the first embodiment, the only difference in the second and third embodiments lies in the structure of the withdrawing lever that withdraws the shelf rail. Thus, the description will focus on the difference, and like elements will be deemed described by the corresponding descriptions and reference numerals of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a frontal perspective view showing a latching structure of a shelf according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7 is a frontal perspective view of a shelf latching structure according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, a latching member 150 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure may be lifted upward (in direction B) by manipulating the withdrawing lever 154. The withdrawing lever 154 protrudes from the rail 40 toward the inside of the main body 10.

The shelf 30 can be latched to a side surface of the supporting portion 20 while supported on the supporting portion 20. Accordingly, the shelf 30 can be easily withdrawn forward with items stored thereon.

In this state, a user can raise the withdrawing lever 154. Here, the withdrawing lever 154 may be formed as an elastic member having a predetermined elasticity, as described in the first embodiment.

A guide recess 126 may be formed at the top of the withdrawing lever 154 to guide the movement of the withdrawing lever 154. The guide recess 126 may be vertically defined.

While not shown in FIG. 6, the rail 40 may extend to the bottom of the supporting portion 20 in order to enclose the protruding surfaces of the supporting portion 20.

Through the above configuration, the shelf 30 can be firmly supported on the supporting portion 20, and a user can easily withdraw the shelf 30.

Referring to FIG. 7, a latching member 250 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure may be pulled down (in direction C) by the withdrawing lever 254. The withdrawing lever 254 protrudes downward of the shelf 30.

The shelf 30 can latch to the bottom of the supporting portion 20 while supported by the supporting portion 20. That is, a latch 254 formed at the top portion of the latching member 250 can latch onto the supporting portion 20 provided at the top of the latching member 250. Therefore, the shelf 30 can be prevented from easily disengaging in a forward direction while storing items thereon.

In this state, a user can pull the withdrawing lever 254 forward. Here, as in the first embodiment, the withdrawing lever 254 may be an elastic member having a predetermined elasticity.

In the above configuration, the shelf 30 can be firmly supported by the supporting portion 20, and the shelf 30 can easily be withdrawn.

According to the above-described embodiments, a shelf can securely be supported by a supporting portion, and the shelf can be conveniently withdrawn.

Also, exposure of the supporting portion is minimized to improve its external appearance.

In addition, while minimizing the size of the supporting portion, a shelf can be securely supported on the supporting portion, to increase the usable interior space of the refrigerator.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “exemplary embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with others of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

1. A refrigerator comprising: a main body comprising an inner case defining an interior; a supporting portion on the inner case; a shelf main body supported by the supporting portion; a rail at a side of the shelf main body, to guide movement of the shelf main body; and a latching member on the rail and latching to the supporting portion, the latching member elastically deforming when the shelf main body is moved.
 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the supporting portion comprises a latching recess defined therein to latch with the latching member, and the latching member comprises a latch formed thereon to latch to the latching recess when the shelf main body is supported by the supporting portion.
 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the latch extends from a side of the rail and is formed with a slope enabling insertion in the latching recess.
 4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the latching member comprises a withdrawing lever to be manipulated to withdraw the shelf.
 5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the supporting portion protrudes toward an inside of the main body, and the rail is disposed to enclose a protruded surface of the supporting portion.
 6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the supporting portion and the rail are formed with downward slopes toward a front of the main body.
 7. A refrigerator comprising: a main body defining a storage compartment; a shelf provided in the main body to be withdrawable; and a supporting portion supporting the shelf in the main body, and defining a latching recess latching with the shelf, wherein the shelf comprises: a shelf main body storing items for storage; a rail provided at least at a side of the shelf main body to guide withdrawing of the shelf; a latching member on the rail to latch to the latching recess; and a withdrawing lever extending at a side of the latching member, to be manipulated to withdraw the shelf.
 8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the withdrawing lever is selectively pulled to a front of the main body when the shelf is being withdrawn.
 9. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the withdrawing lever is selectively pulled downward when the shelf is being withdrawn.
 10. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the withdrawing lever is selectively moved upward when the shelf is being withdrawn.
 11. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 8 through 10, wherein the rail comprises a guide recess defined therein to guide movement of the withdrawing lever, and the withdrawing lever comprises a guide protrusion formed on an end thereof to be movable when inserted in the guide recess.
 12. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the latching member is elastically deformed during withdrawal of the shelf.
 13. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the supporting portion and the rail define a space therebetween, to enable the withdrawing lever to move.
 14. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the latching member is sloped to enable insertion into the latching recess, and the latching recess defines a sloped portion corresponding to the latching member.
 15. A refrigerator comprising: a main body defining a storage compartment; a shelf provided in the main body to be withdrawable; and a supporting portion protruding in a direction to support the shelf on the main body, wherein the shelf comprises: a shelf main body storing items for storage; and a rail on at least one side of the shelf main body, to guide withdrawing of the shelf and enclose protruding surfaces of the supporting portion.
 16. The refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the rail encloses at least an upper surface and a lower surface of the supporting portion.
 17. The refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the rail encloses at least an inner surface of the supporting portion.
 18. The refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the rail comprises a latching member formed of an elastic material to latch with the supporting portion.
 19. The refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the rail comprises a withdrawing lever selectively manipulated by a user to withdraw the shelf. 